Great River Children's Museum — Local services in St. Cloud

Wow! What a wonderful experience for our entire family! From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, setting a positive tone for our entire visit. It was a pure joy to not just watch, but to actively play with our kids as they explored the variety of exhibits and let their imaginations run wild. This museum is a treasure trove of hands-on learning disguised as pure fun. The water table area, was our favorite. Be ready to get wet :) It was so much fun exploring the moving water and learning about cause and effect as we sent rubber boats down winding channels. It was a brilliant, multi-sensory experience that had us completely engaged. Our older children loved the outdoor play space. It was a fantastic and safe way for them to test their physical abilities, build confidence and work as a team. What truly sets this museum apart is the thoughtful design of its interactive exhibits. Seeing our kids collaborate, problem-solve, and create elaborate stories together was a highlight of our day. As a parent, it's incredibly rewarding to see your children so engrossed in activities that are not only entertaining but also fostering crucial skills like communication, creativity, and critical thinking. The museum provides a dynamic environment where learning happens organically, through the simple power of play. We left with tired but happy kids, and our own hearts were full from the shared moments of discovery and laughter. We'll be talking about this visit for a long time and are already planning our...

We’ve been to a few children’s museums - big fans of the concept in general - and I was so impressed by this museum’s size and variety. My kids are 3, 5, and 7, and oftentimes their varying interests make a museum tricky, but at this one it was easy to keep them all together and entertained for hours.

Parking was easy and cheap - there’s an inexpensive lot right in front of the museum - and I love that they allow snacks and lunches from home. Ample and convenient restrooms, and entertaining enough to keep us busy for the day! Perfect for when it’s raining or cold, or for when the air quality is poor.

I also loved that it wasn’t too congested; there’s enough room that kids can spread out. I did call ahead and ask about camps and field trips and confirmed that there weren’t any on the day of our visit, so that helped I’m sure. The staff were friendly and helpful both on the phone and in-museum.

The “Mississippi River” water table alone could’ve kept us happy for hours - but we also really enjoyed the climbing area. (Excellent for an initial release of some pent up energy after an hour in the car!) The camping area was also a big hit! Honestly, any place we went in here, felt like we could’ve spent an hour or more. Overall I felt like the offerings were as robust as the museum in St. Paul, but simultaneously less overwhelming. 100% recommend and we can’t wait to...

They really thought of everything when designing the GRCM! I took my toddler on a rainy day and even with the outdoor exhibit being closed, we had an amazing time! My 2 year old’s favorites were the Headwaters and the Great Big River! Theres a million ways to play here and we could have spent another 2 hours there on top of the 2 hours we already did! The headwater’s exhibit mimics the Mississippi headwaters, with fishing poles, tents, campers, plush fires and more. The lighting in the room cycles through day and night and even shows stars, fireflies and the northern lights! The tinker area rotates its activities if I understand correctly, when we visited, there was marshmallow and toothpick construction, pollinator coloring, and dough! Climb to the clouds on nets, spanning the height of the building if you dare to follow your brave kiddo! Each area has a corner for kiddos under 3 where they can explore the same topic as others, with softer and safer toys. There are signs throughout to encourage caregiver participation in their child’s exploration. I really appreciated the emphasis on earth sciences like hydrology, meteorology, and more! When I say they thought of everything, I mean it! Even the donor wall was interactive! We will definitely be back time...